23 ft potter cuddy

marsh island · #1 07-17-2003, 02:47 PM

I am looking at purchasing a 1978 sceptre 23ft. I have spoken to many people about this purchase and have gotten a very good response from just about everyone except two people.The two are as you would know are the most knowledgeable about boats and both told me that the cuddy will knock your fillings out of your teeth. One has owned a seacraft before and now owns a 27 ft regulator, and the other has a brother-in-law that had one and owns a 65 foot hatteras along with other boats. These guys know boats but I am having trouble with what they are telling me can anyone help? I know for one thing the guy with the regulator has a brother with a 31 jupiter. Could these guys be comparing these other boats to a 23 sceptre cuddy.........what about the legendary ride???? is the steering to far up front????

Dave Hirshberg · #2 07-17-2003, 03:26 PM

Lets put it this way. It rides better than any other 23 cuddy on the marked today or yesterday. The hull will take more abuse than you can. Its not going to ride as good as a 27 Regulator ,a 31 Jupiter or even a 23 Seacraft Center console. You have to compare apples to apples. I've been in the boat business a long time and have owned and sold a lot of different boats. My 23 Sceptre was hands down the best riding 23 I've ever experienced and outrides most 23 center consoles by other Manufacturers. Its very dry too.
Just my .02

marsh island · #3 07-17-2003, 06:29 PM

Thanks for the reply, I believe what you say. I will still purchase this boat, but I just wanted to know if their experience of a rough ride was because of sitting too far up front or this is B.S. I was not comparing the sceptre to these other boats I was thinking they are just used to those rides verses this boat. I have another question on placing a bracket on a closed transom I/O. Will this make it ass heavy??

BARNABY55 · #4 07-17-2003, 07:05 PM

I owned a 23 cuddy. great boat, grat ride. Trim Tabs a must!!! Buy it if the price is right

madmax · #5 07-17-2003, 08:42 PM

1 have a 1980 septre and it rides much better then any other 23 i have been in, yes trim tabs are a must , check the transom. i has a very large cockpit, ideal for diving
mad max

TarponTom · #6 07-17-2003, 08:54 PM

maek,
As they say, every boat is a compromise in one way or another, the Cuddy is no exception. What you may give up in one area you will gain in another. I have rode in both Cuddy and CC and since the hull is identical the small difference is I think as said, the more forward seat placement and bigger yet, most CC riders are standing. Your legs are a much better shock absorber than your ass and have less memory. The gain is far more (lockable) storage, larger deck area and the ability to overnight more comfortably. I'm 6'3" and am very comfortable in the cabin which was surprising to me! I'm also more at ease in nasty weather with a fully enclosed bow which will spill off a roller not shovel it in. A 23 Cuddy with full curtains is an all weather boat. The only drawback I find is not being able to fight a fish 360 degrees.

John R · #7 07-17-2003, 10:33 PM

One word:

SAVAGE!

LITTLEBISHOP · #8 07-18-2003, 12:10 AM

Hi, When I bought my Sceptre in Palm beach, I met Bill Potter in the yard that was storing my Sceptre. I asked him to look over the boat and tell me what he thought. He said he really liked the cuddy and even thought It rode better than the center console in many situations because it's a little heavy in the bow. Maybe he was trying to make me feel better because I told him I wanted a center console. In any case I love my boat, but I did come home with a slight headache after running around today at 30 miles per in 2ft seas....Oh,yeah a 65 ft hatteras might be a "little" more comfortable

[ July 17, 2003, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: MARC ]

ScottM · #9 07-18-2003, 12:32 PM

Maek,
What I've found is the Sceptre's ride appears different because of the placement of the helm versus the CC. On a Sceptre you're well forward of amidships so the motion is more pronounced. If you can sea trial the boat you're looking at, have someone run the boat while you stand on the centerline just aft of amidships where the CC helm would be, then you run the boat and see what you think. Bottom line, like That70sboat said, it is by far the best riding 23 cuddy out there, new or used, and it even beats the ride of other makers' 23 CCs. You won't be disappointed [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .

Savage - now there's the best of both worlds!

[ July 18, 2003, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Scott ScottM ]

JohnB · #10 07-18-2003, 11:38 PM

maek,
I own a 23 sceptre, and agree with what was said above. I will add 1 thing. If you take out the cheap plastic seats that are in most of these boats, and put in some really good ones that have a spring platform and alot of padding, it won't feel like you spine is attached to the pedistal post. Between the trim tabs, and the seats, I believe you will be very please with the ride quality compared to most 23' CC, and almost all cuddies.